Four Corners: What Londoners from around the city want from the next mayor

The city's top job is standing open and candidates vying to replace Matt Brown can file their nomination papers starting Tuesday.

East

At Argyle Mall, at the intersection of Clarke Side Road and Dundas Street, Christina McKim said she is sick of politicians who appear one way — and then become something different when they get elected. 

"I want someone who is trustworthy. Somebody who is actually going to do something about the problems that we have. No illicit things going on — just someone who is going to get in there and solve at least some of the problems." 

I want someone who is trustworthy.- Christina McKim

McKim said helping people in poverty and those who are homeless are big issues for her. 

"It's really scary just walking downtown and I think something really needs to be done about that." 

For Susan Degan, the big issue is fixing the current transit system. Standing steps away from a bus hub at the mall parking lot, she said 

"The plan for downtown is ridiculous. We need to make the buses run correctly before we do anything else. 

"I want to see a mayor who pays attention to the issues in the city, not back talking and glad-handing," she said.

West

In Lambeth, John Irwin wants a mayor who is more action, less talk. 

I think the (mayor) we have now is full of baloney.- John Thomas

"I think the one we have now is full of baloney," he said. "There's tons of garbage on the side of the road, and no one cleaning it up. The streets are full of holes, we need to fix them. I'd like to see someone who does stuff, doesn't just talk about it. That's what I'd like to see." 

Irwin said there's a lot of focus on London's downtown while the suburbs suffer. 

Inside a Tim Horton's three friends who get together for coffee often said they'll be watching each of the candidates' platforms on the bus rapid transit system. 

"The BRT is the biggest issue. It'll be 2028 before it's done, and who knows the hidden costs," said John Thomas. 

"Everything is going to be more money than they quote it to be and it's too much money. I would say the amount of people who will use the BRT versus all the thousands who will pay for it who will never use it, it's not such a great idea." 

Fixing aging infrastructure is also important to Thomas and his friends. 

North

Dave and Marlene O'Brien like the idea of transit that can take them from their home in the Masonville area of London, but they don't like the idea of the current bus rapid transit project, called Shift. 

"The biggest issue (for candidates) will be Shift and the BRT and what they're going to do with it. That's what I'll be looking for. I think they should rethink it," said Dave O'Brien. 

Marlene O'Brien added: "I am for better transit, but by the time it's finished in 10 years, technology will be so advanced that it will be too much money spent when there will be something better available for a city this size." 

This city is a lot of east, west, south, north. Everything depends on where you live.- Shopper outside of Indigo at Masonville 

Both said they would take transit into downtown when going to a theatre performance or to dinner, but the transit system has to be more reliable. 

Whoever the mayoral candidate is, they'll have trouble bringing the different parts of the city — those far-flung and those in the core — together.

"I just think we have a lot of issues that are all separated," said one Londoner, who didn't want to give her name. "This city is a lot of east, west, south, north. Everything depends on where you live. There's not a lot of cohesion." 

South

In Pond Mills, at the Southeast Optimist Park on Deveron Cresent, Carrie said she wants a long-term vision for the city that includes getting rid of urban sprawl. 

"To see more redevelopment of urban areas would be nice," she said. 

One man, who is a city worker and didn't want his name used, said city staff are disillusioned with the current mayor and want to see someone with integrity and "someone who is there for the right reasons": the taxpayers. 

Carla Whitaker says infrastructure and roads are important to fix. 

"The corner of Pond Mills and Commissioners is a mess," she said. 

Whitaker said the she really likes the range of recreational programing offered by the city. 

Everyone agrees

Across the city, people said they wanted a mayor who would listen to Londoners — and someone who was honest and had integrity. 

Perhaps that desire isn't surprising, considering Mayor Joe Fontana ended his term on house arrest after being found guilty of fraud. 

Brown ran on a platform of bringing back integrity to city hall, but had an affair with a city councillor which dominated headlines and the public's imagination. 

Nomination papers for the job of mayor are being accepted until July.